March 8, 2020 – DPS61 says they are working closely with health officials to monitor the Coronavirus and are using the Spring break holiday to do a focused cleaning of schools. Currently, there are no reported cases of the virus in Macon County, but DPS61 says they are following all recommendations by Illinois Department of Public Health, Macon County Health Department, and the CDC That includes encouraging staff and students who are sick to stay home, continuing to clean and disinfect schools and buildings each daily, plus a focused cleaning during spring break and communicating regularly with neighboring school districts and local municipalities. According to DPS, any children who appear to be ill, or who report feeling unwell, are sent to the school nurse, who makes an assessment and, if appropriate, sends the child home. DPS says they are watching attendance patterns to see if there is an uptick in absences, but so far, that has not occurred.
Full release from DPS61:
The health and safety of our students and staff is our top priority, and we are writing to update you on the most current recommendations of local, state, and federal health authorities regarding health risks associated with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). In partnership with the Illinois Department of Public Health, Macon County Health Department, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, District #61 is working to ensure our schools remain safe for students and staff.
At this time, there are no reported cases in Macon County or connected to District #61, and we are not considering closing schools, based on the recommendation of local health authorities. However, we are closely following information on COVID-19 and will continue to update you as information is shared with us.
What do we know?
Since this virus is very new, health authorities continue to carefully watch how this virus spreads. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers this virus to be a serious public health concern, and it is working hard to learn as much as possible about it so that we can better understand how it spreads and causes illness. You can learn more at the link above; this piece produced by the Illinois Department of Public Health specifically for schools is also helpful.
Symptoms
Information to date suggests that COVID-19 causes mild-to-moderate illness and symptoms like the flu, including fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. As with seasonal flu and strep infections, there are precautions we can all take to remain as healthy as possible.
What is District #61 doing?
We are taking practical steps to ensure that our buildings are safe places to work:
- Encouraging staff members (and students) who are sick to stay home.
- Continuing to clean and disinfect our schools and buildings each day, plus a focused cleaning while students and staff are out of school buildings on Spring Break next week, March 10-13.
- Communicating regularly with neighboring school districts and our local municipalities to ensure we’re sharing key information.
Reminders for DPS Staff and Families
Everyone should continue to practice general flu prevention measures and should be particularly vigilant in ensuring students do the same.
- Practice good hand hygiene. Wash your hands often and thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- When coughing and sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue. You can also cough or sneeze into your sleeve. Throw used tissues in the trash and immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Avoid sharing drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, dishes, towels, or other items. Wash these items thoroughly with soap and water after use.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick whenever possible (at least three feet).
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work, or school, especially when someone is ill.
- In general, stay healthy! Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.
FAQs
- Schools are cleaned and disinfected each night. Custodians will also do a focused cleaning while students and staff are out of school buildings on Spring Break next week, and Alltown will continue cleaning and sanitizing buses.
- Any children who appear to be ill, or who report feeling unwell, are sent to the school nurse, who makes an assessment and, if appropriate, sends the child home.
- We are watching our attendance patterns to see if there is an uptick in absences (to date, this has not occurred).
- We encourage you to keep your child at home if they are sick.
- The IDPH does not recommend closing schools at this time.
It bears repeating: please stay home if you’re feeling sick. Call your doctor and let them know your symptoms and travel history.
